Republican candidates define themselves in TV18 interview

Video

Sheriff hopefuls 1

Part 1 of Wednesday's discussion with Routt County Sheriff hopefuls Nick Bosick and Garrett Wiggins.

Video

Sheriff hopefuls 2

Part 2 of Wednesday's discussion with Routt County Sheriff hopefuls Nick Bosick and Garrett Wiggins.

Steamboat Springs  The two Republican candidates vying for a chance to stand against Democrat Gary Wall to lead the Routt County Sheriff’s Office explained their goals in a casual discussion with Steamboat TV18 on Wednesday. Nick Bosick and Garrett Wig­­gins pointed out new initiatives they would like to use to involve the public in the policing of the county. Neither mentioned Wall’s name.

Wiggins, All Crimes Enforce­ment Team commander, said he would like to solicit more community input about how the Sheriff’s Office is operating.

“We all love the way of life here, so I think it really behooves us all to have some community input and the community be involved with the sheriff’s department and how we can work together to maintain the quality of lifestyle that we all have,” he said.

Bosick said he would like to involve the community more in the law enforcement process. He said that as a detective with the Steamboat Springs Police De­­partment, he has seen how people can become frustrated with the justice system. He said if he is elected, he wants to create a “restorative justice” that would allow victims to take a more active role in their cases.

“I think it would be important for those victims to be able to tell those suspects how they affected their lives,” he said, and “have some input on helping the suspect accept responsibility for what they’ve done.”

When asked about their differences, Wiggins emphasized that he has wanted to run for the sheriff position for about five years and has the passion for the job. Wiggins ran for the office in 2006 and lost to Wall. Bosick announced that he would add his name to the ballot two weeks before the Republican Assembly, but he did not get enough votes to get on the ballot. He instead petitioned onto the ballot.

Wiggins said the differences in the candidates’ general policing strategies aren’t immediately apparent.

“Nick and I haven’t really sat down and discussed philosophy,” Wiggins said.

When asked to distinguish himself, Bosick said that his emphasis is on responsibility to the people and that “the job is more than numbers.”

Both men are employed by the Police Department, and Wiggins said that whoever wins, they will remain friends.

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The Aug. 10 primary is an all-mail election. Registered Republican voters, even if they are marked inactive, will receive a ballot from the Routt County Clerk and Recorder’s office.